The Middle Rock Mariners Baseball Club travelled to Begley Field to take on the powerful Port Macquarie Spartans on a sunny winter's day on Sunday, August 2.
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The A Grade team fell behind 3-0 after the first innings, when the Spartans recorded three safe hits and two walks.
The Mariners' Branko Kramer recorded a safe hit but unfortunately his teammates left him stranded on second base.
The Spartans took a five run lead in the second innings despite the best efforts of the Mariner's defence.
Mariners' left fielder Mali Boller took a great catch, while Ben Williams and Nathan Ellul both produced infield outs.
The Mariners then started a fightback scoring three runs when Mali Boller and Matt Lindsay smacked the ball into the outfield.
With the score at 5-3 it looked likely that the Mariners would make one of their famous comebacks. However, it was not to be.
The final score of 9-4 was probably a true reflection of the difference between the teams.
Coach Todd Reid was happy with the defence and awarded short stop Ben Williams Man of the Match for his five assists.
However, he was a little disappointed with the offence with the team recording eight strikeouts and only three safe hits.
The B Grade team has shown outstanding improvement, finally going down 9-4 to a team that had thrashed them 30 nil earlier in the season.
The biggest difference has been the consistent pitching of Man of the Match Raj Kandri.
Kandri pitched three innings with over 70 per cent of his pitches being strikes.
With the bat Mick Prosser, Peter Kirkpatrick, Hari Padmanabha and Raj Kandri recorded safe hits, while Boris Budiono(2) and Jason Kirkpatrick picked out walks.